Special colloquium by Dr. Pete Worden: Breakthrough Starshot

10:30

Dr. Worden will talk about the Breakthrough Starshot challenge that aims to demonstrate a proof of concept for ultra-fast radiation-driven Nano- crafts, and lay the foundations for a first launch to Alpha Centauri within the next generation. Along the way, the project will confront many scientific and engineering challenges (https://breakthroughinitiatives.org/Challenges/3) and establish a research grant program towards solving them, while generating important supplementary benefits to astrophysics, including solar system exploration and detection of Earth-crossing asteroids.